Apprentice jockey Renee Forrest dropped the whip at the 200m of the Westspeed Nursery (1000m), as she was attempting to balance Rio Flyer, but it made no difference to the result.
Rio Flyer had surged to the lead and continued to power ahead to an impressive debut victory at the outside odds of $11.
Festive Success, also racing first-up, was second with Kim Excel third, in the field of only four runners.
Trainer David Harrison said he was keen on his filly’s chances before the scratching of favourite Rebel King.
“She was at$33 with Rebel King in the field but she won a trial at Lark Hill by 4.5 lengths which augured well for her race chance.”
Harrison said the filly was looking at the stands and tents in the run home.
Forrest reported that her greenness would disappear with more racing and that Rio Flyer had travelled well throughout. “I dropped the whip when I was trying to lift her a bit.”
Cyclone Force: In the second race, the LD Total Handicap (1200m), Cyclonic Halo (Ben Paterson) flooded home faster than a Japanese Tsunami to just nail Wombie’s Legacy on the winning post.
Steven Parnham must have thought he was home on Wombie’s Legacy at the 100m mark but the gelding ‘paddled’ in the concluding stages and failed to withstand the late challenge.
Trainer Simon Barrass said Cyclonic Halo over-raced a bit early but that he would develop into a ‘miler.’
“He is better suited off the pace and Ben rode him really well”
Paterson completed a double in the fourth race, the Vale Allan Young Handicap (2200m), when he came with a similar late run to land Saxy Grace a winner over Dragon Lead and Gallipoli Prince.
The winner continued the leading trainer, Adam Durrant’s, stranglehold of middle distance races.
Steven Parnham adopted front running tactics again on Sanctitude (fourth) in the third race but brother Brad put paid to him after straightening.
BP was aboard Crown Lawyer for his trainer- father Neville, and showed a good amount of vigour to hold off Arcadia Rose (William Pike). Mireille, with Chris Parnham aboard, was third.
The Parnhams add to the old adage that the family that prays together stays together by regularly being the family that races together wins together.
John Elsegood